5 Fresh Songs You might Have Missed (9/15)

I want y'all to be locked into The DJBooth at all times. Not just because every pageview matters, but because we post a lot of new music and the thought of you missing what could potentially be your new favorite song keeps me awake at night. I get paid to do this, so it's easy for me to listen to everything we feature, but for you, a student or an adult with a job that isn't as absurd as music writer, I know it's hard to stay that glued to The DJBooth. No worries, we've got you covered.

Here is some of the dope DJBooth-featured material from the past seven days that you might have missed, with an emphasis on the indie and underground (because it's a lot harder to miss the superstars). You can thank me later.

Mondays suck; easily the hardest day of the week to get through. Anyone who is experiencing those Monday blues is highly encouraged to listen to Sam Lachow's refreshing remix of "Action Figures," which features fellow Seattle native and DJBooth favorite, Sol. I love the feel good energy on this track and its super funky production. While the vibe is low-key and relaxed, I'm still really impressed with the artistry on the record, specifically in regards to the beat. I love the way that Sam, and co-producer John Martin, blend a little pop with a little funk to create a colorful, creamy backdrop. On the mic, Sam is so much fun and his charisma is tangible; you have fun listening because it's clear he has fun making music. If you enjoyed this feel-good effort I strongly recommend his Huckleberry project; it's one of the most under-talked-about albums of the 2014.

Picking a DJBooth Freestyle Series entry might seem self-serving, but... just shut-up. One listen to Max Wonders's "Questions" and you'll understand that it's here on merit. I love these freestyles, mostly because they show how much talent is really out there. With only two DJBooth features, I'm not overly familiar with Max's work, but after this freestyle I'm definitely a fan. We don't invite the big names, we give anyone who can spit a chance to show it; Max shows it. Everything about this freestyle works; dope original beat selection, a grimy yet fluid flow, and the perfect amount of energy from Max.

Everybody and their momma is a rapper these days. The best way to get noticed amongst the sea of Drizzy freestyles is to showcase a unique sound. That's not always easy, unless you name is BOOTS. While most of you might not stick around until the end of this effort, I urge you to give it 4:31 seconds of your time otherwise spent checking Twitter or listening to that same song you have heard a million times. I don't want to ruin the experience of listening for the first time, but at the song's climax the track morphs into something that makes the slow build-up totally worth it. If you merely skip ahead, the video/song won't have the same impact. You are going to have to trust me here; it's worth your time. Plus, you have an equally unique set of visuals to keep you engaged. If you still aren't sold, BOOTS is part of Roc Nation; what more do you need?! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?!?!

Where BOOTS' effort takes a few minutes to get going, Damon sinks his claws into your ears from the get-go. It's rare to describe an R&B tune as potent, but that's exactly what this effort is. Shit, I don't even know if you can call this number an R&B affair. Really, you can call it whatever you want, so long as you call it explosive. Damon's power is great, but what really engines this effort is the production from David "BMojoBeatz" Stewart. The man creates a dynamic, gripping beat which really gives this one its teeth. I love the way he transitions into something a little lighter in the outro, but the track doesn't lose steam; it's a really fluid progression. Speaking of slow Monday's, this one ought to wake you up like a big ol' cup of coffee.

Normally, when it comes to what music people like, I'm pretty open-minded and non-judgmental; different strokes for different folks. That being said, if you don't like this James Brown cover from BJ The Chicago Kid, I'm not quite sure you can be trusted. Covering James Brown is no easy task, but BJ shows just how much soul he has inside of his vocals by giving the godfather of the genre a run for his money. I don't recall hearing a record that featured BJ's vocals that I didn't enjoy. In my opinion, he is one of the most talented singers around and he doesn't get nearly enough credit or shine. I love hip-hop, but there ain't nothing like that feeling you get from a tender soul jam; BJ is one of the only new-age artists who can capture that old-school magic.

[Lucas Garrison is a writer for DJBooth.net. His favorite album is “College Dropout,” but you can also tweet him your favorite Migos songs at @LucasDJBooth.]